MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - The West Virginia Hospitals-East Regional Cancer Program, based at City Hospital in Martinsburg, has been selected by the Commission on Cancer (CoC) to receive its Outstanding Achievement Award, which recognizes cancer programs that strive for excellence in providing quality care to cancer patients.
The WVUH-East Regional Cancer Program is one of a select group of 90 currently accredited cancer programs across the United States to receive the award. The CoC Outstanding Achievement Award (OAA) is granted to facilities that demonstrate a Commendation level of compliance with seven standards that represent six areas of cancer program activity: cancer committee leadership, cancer data management, clinical management, research, community outreach, and quality improvement.
“This exceptional designation is reserved for only a few programs in the United States. Based on the dedication and expertise of our physicians and staff, we are very pleased that such a prestigious group such as the American College of Surgeons, which established the CoC, has granted us their highest level of achievement,” said Anthony P. Zelenka, chief administrative officer at City Hospital.
According to the CoC, eligibility and accreditation are granted only to those facilities that have voluntarily committed to provide the best in cancer care and are able to comply with the established CoC standards. Each cancer program must undergo a rigorous on-site evaluation by a physician surveyor and review of its performance and compliance with CoC standards. This on-site evaluation must be repeated every three years for the facility to maintain accreditation and be eligible for the national achievement award.
In October 2010, the WVUH-East Regional Cancer Program was granted a three-year accreditation with commendation by the CoC following a rigorous on-site evaluation. Accreditation with commendation is awarded when a program exceeds all standards, delivering an exceptionally high level of care. Following this survey, the WVUH-East Regional Cancer Program was recommended for the national achievement award. Ninety programs received the OAA as a result of surveys performed in 2010. This number represents approximately 17 percent of programs surveyed during this period.
“To be chosen among just a few institutions around the country to receive the Outstanding Achievement Award shows that our institution itself has deep commitment to provide the highest quality of care to all of our cancer patients. This is an occasion to take pride in our work and to rededicate ourselves to continue to offer this same high level of care in the future,” Zelenka commented.
American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer
Established in 1922 by the American College of Surgeons, the Commission on Cancer is a consortium of professional organizations dedicated to improving survival and quality of life for cancer patients through standard-setting, prevention, research, education, and the monitoring of comprehensive quality care. Its membership includes Fellows of the American College of Surgeons and representatives of 47 national organizations that reflect the full spectrum of cancer care.
For more information about the Commission on Cancer, visit their web site at www.facs.org/cancer/index.html.
WVUH-East Regional Cancer Program
The WVUH-East Regional Cancer Program is a fully accredited, comprehensive cancer treatment program that was initially established in 1991 at City Hospital. Current service offerings include medical oncology, radiation oncology, clinical trials, inpatient oncology unit, surgery department, outpatient chemotherapy, vascular therapy, pathology & laboratory services, diagnostic radiology, pharmacy, social services, food & nutritional services, and cancer support groups and programs.
For more information, visit the WVUH-East web site at www.wvuh-east.org.